2 injured in Fort Dodge home explosion

Two people have been injured by a natural gas explosion at their home in central Iowa.

The explosion happened on the corner of Ninth Avenue South and South 31st Street in Fort Dodge shortly before 1 p.m.

"I looked out and I could see the roof lifting up and the debris going across the yard," said Larry Ackerson, who lives across the street. "It felt like an earthquake. It just shook the whole house."

The Fort Dodge Messenger reports that the four residents had just been told to leave the house when the blast erupted. Two of the residents were unharmed. The two others were taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Becky Habhab, another neighbor, said the explosion fully engulfed the home in flames.

"We got up to look out the window and the front half of the house was literally gone. It just collapsed and everything was gone," Habhab said.

Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter blamed a natural gas leak that other officials say may have started when a city public works crew stuck a gas line in front of the house while digging in to repair a water main.

A MidAmerican Energy worker sent to the home as a precaution advised the occupants to leave and was a few feet from the front door when the explosion occurred. The worker wasn't hurt

Assistant Fire Chief Lenny Sanders said no part of the home was sparred.

"Right now we are finding all the hot spots. There was fire in every portion of that home," said Sanders.

The State Fire Marshall is expected to arrive to Fort Dodge Thursday morning to aid with the investigation. No additional details are expected until that time.